You probably heard the news. Yesterday Stanley Martin Lieber passed away at age 95. The world knows him better as Stan ‘The Man’ Lee.

While with Marvel comics, Stan Lee collaborated with various artists. Among some of those artists were Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko. During Lee’s tenure at Marvel he worked on numerous titles. You might’ve heard of a few: Spider-Man, The Hulk, The Fantastic Four, X-Men, Black Panther, Thor, Ironman, and countless others. These various titles became many of the staples within the Marvel legacy.

After Lee retired from Marvel, he continued to stay in the spotlight. During 2006 and 2007, he hosted a reality show on the Sci-Fi Channel, now known as Syfy. It was titled Who Wants To Be A Superhero. As someone who usually hates reality shows, I absolutely adored season one. Later I got to meet the winner Feedback and runner-up Fat Momma. The contestant I was personally rooting for was Major Victory. Hugging him was one of my highlights during NYCC 2007.

I’ve had enough of death lately (personal reasons). So with that I’ll leave you with my tribute to Stan Lee. My second tribute which included Spider-Man, when Steve Ditko passed away a few months prior. He’s with Spider-Man, superhero from Forest Hills, Queens. Queens being my hometown. Excelsior!

As you geeks know, New York Comic Con happened last month. Let’s just call it NYCC for short. I attend every year, even if my own comic book tastes run more towards alternative than Marvel or DC. I’ll go to do the ‘networking’ thang, check out the current trends, but it’s also become a bit like a mini-vacation. NYCC also reminds me why I got interested in comics, sci-fi and other related genres in the first place.

The first five years of attending NYCC, I got caught up in all the buzz, the excitement, the cosplay, etc. Things shifted a few years ago. Like last year, a lot of time was spent attending panels.

This blog post will focus on NYCC 2018 cosplay. I was surprised on the type of cosplay seen this year. Despite Black Panther being huge at the box office, I didn’t see a lot of Wakanda. There’s this photo:

Black Panther cosplay at NYCC 2018. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

Was more surprised on witnessing more Harry Potter cosplay. Doctor Who cosplay went down. Bob’s Burger cosplay went up. Star Wars cosplay from any era will always be a staple of any comic book convention. That’s a given.

Another reminder about many years I’ve been attending NYCC. In 2008, I saw a man outside the Javits Center play the accordion while wearing a Boba Fett helmet. Exactly ten years later, he was back!

Boba Fett playing the accordion outside 2018 NYC. First saw him back in 2008. Renegade Accordion on FB and IG. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Oct. 2018.

Deadpool cosplay was still going strong, but it was usually in some form of mash-up/crossplay.

Pope Deadpool. NYCC 2018. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Oct. 2018.

Cosplay at NYCC 2018. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2018.

Ending part one of NYCC 2018 is the inescapable photobomb. None other than good old Deadpool himself.

This past weekend was New York Comic Con 2018. NYCC for short. I spent all four days at Javits Center, and now I’m literally exhausted. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

While NYCC felt like a second home, the MTA was an entirely different story. What genius decides to close off the 7 train stop right during the busiest weekend in the Hudson Yards area!?! On Saturday I decided to attend the CBDL after con party. Made the mistake of taking that wretched shuttle bus. It was the cattle call from f’ing hell. The bus driver himself had no clue what he was doing. Instead the driver did this zig-zag route that barely made it to West 44th street. The original destination was West 42nd street. The L train chimed in by doing it’s shuttle run from Williamsburg instead of it’s usual run to Canarsie. Then the R train joined in the fun.

Once inside NYCC, it was smooth sailing. If the subway didn’t drain you first.

Due to my exhaustion, I will blog about NYCC 2018 in another post. Lots of photos, panel reviews and good times. In the meantime, here’s the Psycho Bunny sketch of the week for Oct. 8th, 2018.

Psycho Bunny tries to commute to NYCC 2018. The MTA has other plans. Based on the comic written and drawn by Michele Witchipoo on WitchesBrewPress. Oct. 2018.

The title says it all. Usually I’m not that tardy. Now with some free time I can finally post the New York Comic Con 2017 review.

Star Trek cosplay with a Tribble, on the way to NYCC 2017.

For NYCC 2017 I attended mostly panels. As usual, the most interesting panels were all listed on either the same days, and/or times. The Reed Pop folks also changed the ways the major promotional panels (i.e., television, films, etc.) were accessible. For example, to get into any panel on the main stage. Before you just had to be willing to wait one hour on line before being let inside the auditorium. In 2017, that was no longer possible. First you had to get a wristband. Once the wristbands were gone, that meant the auditorium was filled to capacity. By the time I figured this out, it was too late.

Now that you’re getting the idea, the rest of NYCC was crowded as usual, full of faithful geeks, pop culture consoeurs, and cosplayers.

The entrance into Artist Alley at New York Comic Con 2017. Taken October 2017.

Artist Alley was moved due to the renovations inside the Jacob Javits center. Which made everything compact. The good news Artist Alley was across from the professional lounge which I spent much time inside, mostly to charge my cellphone.

One of the first panels attended was titled ‘Representation Matters! How To Respectfully Write & Draw POC and LBQT characters in comics.’ That weekend it seemed like NYCC was really focusing on diversity, especially during the age of Trump. On that panel was a representative from Women In Comics, a local collective that puts on it’s own comic con in the Bronx.

A bad photo of the “Representation Matters panel. NYCC 2017.

In between panels, we mostly checked out various cosplay. Have to admit, a lot of the cosplayers were on point this year.

The phenomenon of those inflatable dinosaur costumes continue.

Inflatable T-Rex costumes at NYCC 2017.

Another panel attended was titled PW Presents: The European Comics Invasion. Some of the panel speakers were artists Mahmud Asrar (Turkey), Zep (Switzerland), Fabrice Nury and Patricia Lyfoung (France).

Group photo after the PW Presents: The European Comics Invasion. NYCC 2017.

Onwards through more cosplayers.

Here’s my favorite cosplay out of all NYCC 2017. A mash-up of Lemmy Kilmister from Motorhead, and a Stormtrooper.

A mash-up of Lemmy from Motorhead and a Stormtrooper. NYCC 2017.

For the occasionally energy boost, there was free samples of Death Wish coffee. Very strong coffee I might add.

Free samples of Death Wish coffee at NYCC 2017.

The next few panels attended focused on Jack Kirby. It was Kirby who created many superhero characters, such as Captain America, and Black Panther, which will be on movie screens very soon. The below bad photo was from the panel Jack Kirby: The King’s NYC.

Panel for Jack Kirby: The King’s NYC. NYCC 2017.

Time for more cosplay photos.

Here was my second favorite cosplay. Pennywise from the film It.

Cosplay of Pennywise from the film It. NYCC 2017.

Back to Artist Alley, where you could meet artists such as Terry Moore (Strangers In Paradise, Echo) Ed Piskor (Hip Hop Family comics) and Joe Staton (E-Man)

Here’s my third favorite cosplay. Prince as portrayed on the Dave Chappelle show.

Prince as portrayed on the Dave Chappell show. NYCC 2017.

It’s time for this blog post to come to a close, so I’m just going to round it out with assorted photos.

Here’s a belated post. Trying to catch up with the Psycho Bunny and Inktober sketches.

The annual New York Comic Con 2017 happened during the weekend of Oct. 5 – 8. Had my pro pass for all four days. The cosplay was on point this year. Saw some friends, checked out what NYCC had to offer. Back in 2010, I had a table at NYCC, in Artist Alley. Perhaps one day I’ll have a table again.

From Thursday Oct. 6 to Sunday Oct. 9, I felt as if I lived at the Javits Center. That’s because it was the annual New York Comic Con. Earlier this year I received my Pro pass for which itself felt good.

As usual it was packed and the cosplayers were out in full force.

NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Oct. 2016

To the left as you walked into the main entrance, there was a entire section dedicated to Wonder Woman. Not just because the Wonder Woman movie will be released in 2017, but Oct. 2016 marked the 75th anniversary of the character’s first appearance. There were also a lot more Wonder Woman cosplay than ever before.

Wonder Woman booth at NYCC. Oct. 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Wonder Woman booth at NYCC. Oct. 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Wonder Woman booth at NYCC. Oct. 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Wonder Woman booth at NYCC. Oct. 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Wonder Woman cosplay at NYCC. Oct. 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo

To my relief there wasn’t as many Harley Quinns, but plenty of Pokemon characters. There was some unique ones that stood out above the others. Darth Maul looks happy here.

NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Oct. 2016

NYCC 2016 had an increase in Bob’s Burgers cosplayers. Louise and Tina Belcher were the most seen. Occasionally you would run into the entire family.

NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Oct. 2016

NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016

NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016

During the course of the four day event, I checked out a few panels. Panels are very good. For one, they give you a wealth of information in regards to the comic book industry, or discuss pop culture. If all else fails, you can rest your weary feet in the seat closest to an outlet to recharge your cell.

The Panel for Trump Magazine (No, not Donald!), a short-lived publication from the 1950s.

The other panel that grabbed my attention was the panel titled ‘Bringing Stories To Life: Holding a Comic Con at Your Library.’ Here local librarians from Connecticut explained the ins and outs of operating local comic cons from the library.

Librarians from CT discuss how to do comic cons at the local library. NYCC Panel. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016.

During the NYCC, I found out there was going to be a panel for the latest Planet of The Apes reboot series. Since I was a huge fan of POTA, I trekked all the way out of the Javits Center to the Theater At Madison Square Garden. That’s where they held the special events, like the one for Doctor Who earlier during NYCC.

Point blank, this Q&A ‘career conversation’ with actor Andy Serkis, who portrays Ceasar in the Apes reboot was the only letdown during NYCC 2106. This might be clarified why in separate blog post.

Actor Andy Serkis after finishing his Q&A panel during NYCC 2016.

I stuck around however to catch the Stan Lee panel at the same venue. Which went off much smoother. Moderated by film director and famous geek Kevin Smith, the panel also had Walt Simonson and Chris Claremount. The packed house was treated to an oral recollection of Marvel comic history. Insert very crappy photo of the panel itself.

Very bad, blurry photo of the Stan Lee panel at NYCC 2016 with Kevin Smith, Walt Simonson and Chris Claremount.

Since NYCC has become so popular, expect free swag. During the weekend I got a free Monster energy drink which I usually never touch, some wafer cookies and a complimentary sample of Death Coffee.

The cosplaying continued.

Ronald McDonald as Thor. NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016.

The last day of NYCC was spent getting merch I didn’t need like this Muttley POP. Then off to cruise Artist Alley once more.

Troma booth at NYCC 2016. Photo by Michele Wtichipoo Oct. 2016.

Adult Swim book at NYCC 2016.

Various Planet of The Apes art

Planet of The Apes motion book display as seen during NYCC 2016

This year there was some new interesting talent in Artist Alley, as well as those established such as Terry Moore (Strangers In Paradise), Joe Staton, and Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon).

One person that stood out was graffiti artist Andre Charles, otherwise known as ACharlesNYC. I brought a pin from him. He was so kind to give me a second one for free. Which was a score because I was having trouble which color to choose from. Besides, it’s always good to share old school NYC memories with someone.

Also snagged a free issue of Faith, a popular comic book title now published by Valiant.

Of course some more cosplay.

NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016

NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016

NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016

Some T-Rex creatures were spotted as well.

Another trend I noticed. This year people were cosplaying with their pet dogs. I asked someone cosplaying a character from Adventure Time how he got his dog in. He replied listing your pup as a service dog. While it’s cute, I was left wondering if it was safe at all for the dogs themselves.

Adventure Time cosplay. NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016.

Another curious observation during the NYCC weekend. I kept on seeing something scribbled on the bathroom doors inside the ladies room. Later I discovered it was a quote from The Handmaid’s Tale in Latin: ‘don’t let the bastard grind you down.’ Quite fitting for these times, especially during the current U.S. Presidential election, in which NYCC was the perfect escape from. Ironically, this was the same weekend that news broke out about Trump ‘grabbing pussy.’

Quote from Margaret Atwood’s book The Handmaid’s Tale in Latin: ‘Don’t Let The Bastards Grind You Down.’ NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

In all it was fun as always. Maybe one day I’ll have another table at NYCC Artist Alley again. Till next year.

This time there’s not just one, but two Psycho Bunny pics of the week.

The first one is about Bushwick Open Studios 2016. For those who don’t know, Bushwick Open Studios, otherwise known as BOS is an annual event where artists from the Bushwick, Brooklyn area open their studios to the public. There were a lot of good work seen this year. Such as the Made In Ridgewood exhibit. Although I had plenty of snark for tourists who wouldn’t been caught dead in the same area fifteen – twenty years ago, there was amazing work in all mediums by various artists. Despite seeing some guy give walking tours about Bushwick street murals.

Psycho Bunny came by to check out some art – but he was really there for the open bar.

Psycho Bunny checking out art while looking for the open bar. Based on the comic by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 3rd, 2016.

The second one is about the upcoming New York Comic Con. Whatever few friends he had, one of them was nice enough to get a little something. Only Psycho Bunny being the drunk that he is, is not amused.

Psycho Bunny gets a gift from someone who attended NYCC. Only being a drunk rabbit, he’s not amused. Based on the comic by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 3rd, 2016.

Now for some promotional chatter. I’ll be at MICE in a few weeks. So if you’re in the area, come by to buy a comic. I’ll be table C99. Also check out the Facebook pages for both Psycho Bunny and WitchesBrewPress.